Holmesdale FC walk off after alleged racist abuse in Southern Counties East Football League match
Saturday 11 January 2020 20:29, UK
A game in the Southern Counties East Football League was abandoned after a team walked off the pitch claiming one of their players was racially abused.
Holmesdale FC say one of their players was the victim of abuse following a red card in their game against Rochester United in Division One.
A melee ensued between both teams after a Holmesdale player was sent off, before their manager Lee Roots decided to take his players off the pitch.
A Holmesdale FC statement read: "Holmesdale leave the pitch collectively in protest after racist remarks towards our player caused a red card.
"Incident has been reported to the league & be investigated further. Will post a statement at a later date."
The Kent FA is waiting to see if the incident is included in the match official's report before launching an investigation.
Rochester United chairman Matt Hume told Sky Sports News the club had been informed verbally by the match official that "they didn't hear any incident of racism whatsoever".
Hume, who was pitchside, said the incident stemmed from an altercation between a Holmesdale FC player, who is alleged to have headbutted and spat at a Rochester player.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hume said: "As a chairman and as Rochester United we are going to wait for the full report of the officials before we respond in the proper manner because it is really important we address these issues really well.
He added: "Speaking to everyone at the ground today nobody heard any racial abuse, which I am hoping is the case because we wouldn't want that happening at our club."
